Reprogramming by nuclear transfer is a means by which to reprogram somatic cells to totipotency. In order to gain a better understanding of the reprogramming process and the associated cellular requirements, HSCI Principal Faculty member Kevin Eggan, PhD, and fellow researcher Dieter Egli, PhD, investigated nucleus donor and recipient cells at different cell cycle and developmental stages. They learned that the reprogramming process may be more flexible than we thought as many cell cycle stages are permissive for reprogramming provided the necessary nuclear factors are available. Such elaboration of the process of nuclear transfer not only informs our basic understanding of reprogramming biology but also provides researchers with more information with which to optimize nuclear transfer for potential applications such as creating patient-specific cell lines.

Egli D, Eggan K. (2010). Recipient cell nuclear factors are required for reprogramming by nuclear transfer. Development 37, 1953-63. Epub 2010 May 12.